Civil society stands by assaulted colleague

On 14th November, Miodrag Milićević from NGO Aktiv was verbally and physically assaulted by a member of Kosovo Police special units in the vicinity of the Jarinje crossing in north Kosovo. The assault both reflects and contributes to the deteriorating atmosphere for trust and peaceful coexistence in Kosovo which has been observable in recent months and has reached an alarming scale of escalation with the withdrawal of Serb representatives from Kosovo institutions.

Recent actions by key parties contributing to this escalation have been taken without due consideration to long-term consequences and the damage that can be done to the underlying framework for normalisation. Continuing an environment of threats, intimidation, humiliation, and mistrust will only exacerbate an already fragile situation.

Our organisations have committed to improving the conditions for normalisation by creating channels between communities and building trust to contribute to a long-term and sustainable peace. At this time, we call on all stakeholders for peace in the region to refrain from escalatory language and to use relations, platforms and channels that cross community lines and political lines to create engagement, build understanding of the multiple perspectives on the present context, and contribute to an environment in which key actors take well-considered actions that have in view the well-being of all communities.

We also call on the international community to demonstrate an appropriate urgency in their engagement with the present crisis. We stand with our colleague, Mr. Milićević, and call on the incident to be addressed in line with the relevant legal frameworks in place.

Signatories:

1. Aktiv
2. Belgrade Center for Security Policy (BCSP)
3. Community Building Mitrovica (CBM)
4. Center for Peace and Tolerance (CPT)
5. Civic Initiatives, Serbia
6. European Movement in Serbia (EMiS)
7. Forum for Development and Multiethnic Collaboration (FDMC)
8. Foundation BFPE for a Responsible Society (BFPE)
9. Humanitarian Law Center Kosovo
10. Institute for Territorial Economic Development – InTER
11. Jelena Lončar, University of Belgrade
12. Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights (YUCOM)
13. Local Peace
14. Media Center Caglavica
15. Mitrovica Women Association for Human Rights
16. New Social Initiative (NSI)
17. NGO Be Active 16, Presevo
18. Portali LUGINALAJM, Bujanovac
19. Radio Gorazdevac
20. Radio Astra, Prizren
21. Rahim Salihi, civil society activist, Bujanovac
22. Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Kosovo
23. Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Serbia
24. Valon Arifi, Civic Activist
25. Voice of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians in Kosovo (VoRAE)
26. Vjollca Krasniqi, University of Prishtina